VH1 vet Hanna to TV unit at BermanBraun

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VH1 development executive Matt Hanna has been named head of alternative development in the television division of Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun's recently launched independent production company.

At Los Angeles-based BermanBraun, which has a first-look deal with NBC Universal Television, Hanna joins Rachel Kaplan, who was appointed head of scripted series in April (HR 4/16). He will relocate from New York and start at the company July 5.

"The addition of Matt to our team represents a key step in the evolution of our company," Berman and Braun said. "His knowledge, relationships, experience and taste will be invaluable to us as we strive to create quality entertainment across all mediums."

Hanna joined VH1 in 1998 as assignment editor with VH1 News. He was upped to director of music news, director of development and, most recently, vp development at VH1, a position he held since 2005.

Hanna developed and executive produced the channel's series franchises "Celebrity Fit Club," "The Fabulous Life" and "The World Series of Pop Culture." He also developed the channel's upcoming "Click," a photography elimination competition from executive producer Ken Mok, and shepherded several other pilots and series.

"VH1 has been my home for almost 10 years," Hanna said. "It's an amazing place to work, very nurturing, so making the decision to leave was a big one that speaks to the opportunity, which Gail and Lloyd put in front of me. Professionally, it's the opportunity of a lifetime. It was too amazing to pass up."

At BermanBraun, Hanna said he plans to initially focus on developing formats and game shows but is open to other genres.